Levine Museum of the New South
History and culture connect people to each other which is the main purpose of Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has immersive exhibits that will take you down memory lane. The town’s transformation which includes its industry and agriculture is also featured. It is a wonder to look at, and a perfect place to remember those who had gone through so much in order to preserve the wonderful memories projected at the museum.
Exhibits
- Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers. You will be in awe at how they turned this 8,000 square feet land into a masterpiece. A visual narration on how the south has changed over the years since Civil War. Inside are video clips, artifacts, images, and music. Guests are able to listen to actual stories told by the locals. They are also able to have a glimpse of how cotton is milled with its actual churning sound. There is a big pile of cotton seed which visitors are allowed to run their hand through. The Good Samaritans Hospital Chapel is also featured here. It is one of the oldest African-American hospitals in Charlotte.
- Brooklyn: Once a City Within a City. This section of the exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South shows the downside of urbanizing a place. Brooklyn used to be a promising black community Carolina. It is somehow paying homage to those members of this community who once considered Brooklyn as their place of refuge. Also, it shows how politics affect economic growth in which Charlotte still struggling with up to this time.
- It Happened Here. Guests may find themselves emotional as they hear the story of lynching across America. This part of the exhibit is dedicated to those who died fighting for what they believe in. People who were denied their rights and were victims of injustice. It also features a documentary film entitled AN OUTRAGE. The film was shot at lynching sites which highlights the community activists, descendants of the victims, and scholars.
- #HomeCLT. This high technology section of the exhibition features an Augmented Reality app where visitors get to “see” the changes in the demographic of Charlotte through their phones where visuals and graphics are projected.
- Lumbee Indians. North Carolina considered the Lumbee Indians or the native American tribe to be its largest state tribe. The exhibit features photos of Lumbee families, their beliefs, and how they basically lived in the past.
Even at this time of the pandemic, the Levine Museum of the New South administration doesn’t stop educating young and old about the history and culture of Charlotte and its neighborhood. Through their digital platform, you can still get a tour and see the exhibitions. They have series of classes online about the history and tackles social injustices and racial discrimination.
Families can also avail the Educational Curriculum which includes past and present exhibits and exciting activities for young and old. They have crossword puzzles, drawing activities, video presentations, and many more. All are history-related and a reflection of what is being shown in the actual exhibitions at Levine Museum of the New South.
Since travel and field trips are prohibited, students can still have a virtual tour at the museum. A “tour guide” will lead you to the Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers and to Brooklyn: Once a City, Within a city. Reading materials are also provided. The tour quiz afterward gets the kids really excited as they get to compete with their fellow tourists for the correct answers online. They can modify the tour that will suit the guests whether they are a group of students or adults.
Levine Museum of the New South is a one-of-a-kind museum as it tackles issues that others may find uncomfortable discussing or even show. This museum is clearly dedicated to humanity. Giving honor to those who were not able to enjoy equality and for those who suffered the cruelty from their fellow Americans. A museum that celebrates culture and history. With hopes that the gap will be bridged among us. With a vision that despite the many changes North Carolina has gone through, the heart of the people will stay the same- with compassion and giving importance to their roots and their history.